Customs officers have warned the public to be vigilant after seizing hundreds of potentially dangerous fake Nintendo DS and DS Lite consoles.

A Nintendo representative confirmed to Computeractive that it is also aware of fake DSi – the latest version of the DS, currently not available in the UK – and Wii consoles being sold online.

The fake DS and DS Lite consoles, which are being sold online as genuine Nintendo products, include power adapters that have not been electrically tested. The consoles are being sold online at prices far lower than the genuine Nintendo products.

"At best, these consoles would have led to disappointment on Christmas morning," said HMRC's Pamela Rogers. "At worst, they could have caused serious harm or injury."

A customs spokesperson told Computeractive that ELSPA, which represents Nintendo and other games publishers, is working to have the websites in question taken down.

In the meantime, the fake DS consoles should be relatively easy to spot.

"First of all, look at the price," the spokesperson said. "If you're getting the console for less than £70 there's probably something wrong with it. Also, genuine Nintendo products come sealed in a single box. The fakes come in a badly packed box with the power adapter supplied separately".

A spokesperson for ELSPA said that it was "continuing to work very closely with Trading Standards on this important safety issue."